Sewer and septic tank venting device

ABSTRACT

A venting device configured to attach to a vent and to reduce malodors emitted from a vent includes a first end, a second end, and a center portion. The second end includes two holes into which a barrier is inserted. The second end also includes a protrusion and a ball configured to rest on the protrusion. When a disruption in air pressure occurs within the venting device, the ball moves upward from the protrusion to allow air to exit the device. The barrier prevents the ball from moving upward beyond the barrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to vents and venting systems. Moreparticularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to devices forreducing odors emitted from vents.

2. Related Technology

Roughly one quarter of households in the United States use septic tanksystems to treat wastewater from the home. Septic tank systems include alarge tank typically buried in the yard of the homeowner. The tank holdsa large amount of water and receives wastewater from the home.Wastewater from sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and so forth iscollected in the tank. The wastewater enters through one end of the tankand then separates into three basic layers within the tank. Effluentleaves the tank into a drainage field or other area.

While septic tanks provide beneficial wastewater treatment to manyhomes, septic tanks also naturally produce gases which can have a strongodor and a foul smell. In order to prevent odors from flowing back intothe house, household plumbing systems include p-traps, or pipeconfigurations that prevent gases and malodors from flowing back intothe house. Instead, malodors flow into a vent pipe, which is normallylocated on the roof of the home.

Many septic tank systems, therefore, are configured to prevent malodorsfrom flowing back into the house. Preventing malodors from entering thehome through the pipes does not, however, eliminate the problem of foulsmells associated with septic tanks systems. For example, odorous gasesthat are emitted from the home through a vent pipe located on the roofof the home can still be bothersome to residents and others.

In order to reduce foul smells and malodors emitted from vent pipes,certain manufacturers have created vent filters to help control thesmell. Such vent filters have a variety of designs. For example, ventfilters may include chemicals which help reduce malodors emitted fromthe vent. Chemicals and other compounds or materials used in manufactureof such vent filters neutralize malodors as gases are emitted from thevent through the filer. Such filters are, however, complex in theirfabrication and expensive to buy. In addition, many vent filters orother systems for reducing malodors emitted from vents, are ineffectiveand/or inefficient.

What is needed are effective devices for reducing malodors emitted fromvents that are efficient in their design, easy to manufacture, andinexpensive to produce and purchase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include devices for reducingmalodors emitted from vents, such as sewer vents and vent associatedwith septic systems. A venting device attaches at a first end to a vent.A second end of the venting device, joined to a center portion that alsojoins the first portion, includes an opening for emitting air. Thesecond end includes a protrusion, a ball, and a bar. When the airpressure within the venting device is substantially stable, the ball ismaintained in a resting position on the protrusion. When a disruption inair pressure occurs within the venting device, such as, for example, theflush of a toilet, the ball moves from the resting position and freshair is allowed to flow around the ball and into the venting device. Thebar prevents the ball from moving beyond the second end of the ventingdevice into other portions of the venting device.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other aspects of the present invention,a more particular description of the invention will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in theappended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not drawn to scale.The invention will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a cut-away isometric view of a venting device;

FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view of a second end of a venting device; and

FIG. 3 shows a method for reducing malodors emitted from a vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention include devices for reducing theodor emitted from vents. More particularly, embodiments of the presentinvention reduce the odor emitted from vents associated with sewers andseptic tanks. In one embodiment of the invention, a device is attachedto a sewer or septic system vent. The device includes a first end, acenter portion, and a second end. In one embodiment of the invention,the second end includes two holes positioned on opposite sides of thesecond end into which a bar is inserted. The second end further includesa protrusion and a ball having a resting position on the protrusion. Theball is further configured to be located beneath the bar, or in aposition closer to an opening of the second end than to the bar. Whenthe air pressure within the device is disturbed, the ball moves from aresting position on the protrusion and allows fresh air to enter intothe device. After the fresh air has entered the device and the airpressure within the device again becomes constant, the ball returns to aresting position, thus preventing air and foul odors in the air fromexiting the device.

With attention now to FIG. 1, a front view of a septic tank ventingdevice 100 is shown. In one embodiment of the invention, venting device100 is configured of one or more pieces, while in other embodiments ofthe invention venting device 100 is configured of one piece of material.First end 102 of venting device 100 includes opening 104. In oneembodiment of the invention, first end 102 joins center portion 106 atfirst corner 108. Center portion 106 also joins second end 110. In oneembodiment of the invention, center portion 106 joins second end 110 atsecond corner 112. In another embodiment of the invention, first corner108 and second corner 112 form orthogonal angles, or 90° angles. In suchan embodiment center portion 106 is configured to be perpendicular tofirst end 102 and second end 110, with first end 102 and second end 110being positioned substantially parallel to each other.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, first end 102, centerportion 106, and second end 110 are configured of cylindrical pipe. Thecylindrical pipe of first end 102, center portion 106, and second end110, is, in one embodiment of the invention, configured of polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any otherplastic. In other embodiments of the invention the cylindrical pipe offirst end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110 is made of metal,such as aluminum, galvanized steel, or any other metal or other suitablematerial. Further, first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110may be configured to have any size or shape. In an embodiment of theinvention where first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110have a substantially cylindrical shape, the cylindrical shape may have adiameter of any length and may be configured having any length.

While second end 110 may be configured of cylindrical pipe in oneembodiment of the invention, second end 110 includes an opening 114, afirst hole 116 and a second hole (not shown), and a horizontal component118. In one embodiment of the invention, horizontal component 118 is abarrier. In another embodiment of the invention, horizontal component118 is a bar, as shown in FIG. 1.

In addition to horizontal component 118, or bar 118, second end 110 alsoincludes a blockage 120. In one embodiment of the invention, theblockage is a ball. FIG. 1 shows ball 120 located in the interior ofsecond end 110. Further, in one embodiment of the invention second end110 includes protrusion 122. In one embodiment of the inventionprotrusion 122 is one or more of a circular lip extending from theinterior side of second end 110, and/or a gasket. Moreover, protrusion122 is configured such that ball 120 is unable to pass beyond protrusion122. In one embodiment of the invention, ball 120 may rest on protrusion122 when ball 120 is in a rest position.

In operation, septic tank venting device 100 is attached to a vent, suchas a sewer vent or other vent, when first end 102 is attached to thevent, with opening 104 engaging an end of the vent. Thus, air leavingthe vent enters first end 102 of septic tank venting device 100 throughopening 104. In one embodiment of the invention, opening 104 is threadedto engage a threaded end of a vent.

In addition to attaching to a vent, first end 102 joins center portion106 of septic tank venting device 100. Air entering venting device 100through opening 104 may travel through center portion 106 and intosecond end 110. Second end 110 further includes first hole 116 and asecond hole (not shown) into which bar 118 is inserted. In oneembodiment of the invention, a first end 124 of bar 118 passes throughthe second hole and first hole 116, while a second end 126 of bar 118does not pass through the second hole or the first hole 116. In oneembodiment of the invention, second end 126 of bar 118 includes anobstruction 128 that prevents second end 126 of bar 118 from passingthrough the second hole. Thus, bar 118 traverses substantially an entirewidth of second end 110 of venting device 100.

When ball 120 is in a resting position, or a position such that ball 120rests on protrusion 122, air is prevented from exiting venting device100 through opening 112. In one embodiment of the invention, ball 120prevents air from exiting venting device 100, but allows air to enterventing device 100 when a disruption in air pressure within the ventingdevice occurs. A disruption in air pressure may be caused by suchoccurrences as a toilet being flushed. More particularly, whencontinuing with the example of a toilet being flushed, the flush of thetoilet creates a disruption in air pressure in a sewer vent to which theventing device is attached, thus also creating a disruption in airpressure within the venting device 100. It is to be appreciated that anynumber of occurrences may create a disruption in air pressure in theventing device 100.

When a disruption in air pressure within the venting device 100 occurs,ball 120 may move from the resting position on protrusion 122 such thatball 120 travels upward away from protrusion 122 and toward centerportion 106 of venting device 100. When ball 120 moves in this manner,bar 118 prevents ball 120 from passing beyond bar 118. The configurationof bar 118 across the width, or spanning the width, of second end 110prevents ball 120 from passing beyond bar 118. Configured in this way,ball 120 moves enough to allow air to enter second end 110 without ball120 passing through venting device 100 and into an attached vent. Thus,the configuration of the venting device 100, including the configurationof ball 120 with protrusion 122 and bar 118, prevents foul odors frombeing emitted by a vent while at the same time allowing air to enteropening 112 of second end 110 only when a disruption in air pressurewithin venting device 100 occurs. Thus, fresh air enters venting device100 through opening 112 and air from the sewer or septic system flowsinto the sewer or septic tank and is unable to exit through the ventingdevice.

Stated differently, venting device 100 prevents foul smelling air fromexiting venting device 100. Instead, venting device 100 allows fresh airto enter into venting device 100, and thus the vent to which ventingdevice 100 is attached, when a disruption in air pressure occurs. As aresult, malodorous air is forced into the sewer or septic tank of thesewer or septic system instead of being allowed to exit through the ventto which the venting device is attached.

Although septic tank venting device 100 may be used with the vent of aseptic tank, it is to be appreciated that the venting device 100 mayalso be used with any number of other vents. For example, venting device100 may be used with a sewer vent, such as a sewer vent attached to theroof of a house, the vent of a recreational vehicle configured to ventodors that may be emitted from the sewer system of the recreationalvehicle, and any other vent or venting system.

Moreover, septic tank venting device 100 may also provide numerous otherbenefits to a vent or venting system. For example, the configuration ofseptic tank venting device 100 prevents small animals from entering andbecoming lodged in a vent or venting system. In addition, other unwantedmatter that may be able to enter a vent or venting system having an openend is prevented from so doing by venting device 100.

With attention now to FIG. 2, a cut-away view of the second end 200 of aventing device is shown. In one embodiment of the invention, second end200 has a generally cylindrical shape and is made of pipe configured ofone or more of PVC, ABS, or any other plastic. Second end 200 includesopening 202, which, in one embodiment of the invention where second 200has a generally cylindrical shape, is circular in shape.

In addition to opening 202, second end 200 includes protrusion 204 whichextends from the interior wall 206 of second end 200. In one embodimentof the invention where second end 200 has a generally cylindrical shape,protrusion 204 is one continuous protrusion extending from the interiorwall of second end 200, with protrusion 204 extending from interior wall206 to form a substantially circular shape. Moreover, in otherembodiments of the invention protrusion 204 may include a gasket 208.Finally, second end 200 also includes a ball 210 and a bar 212.

In operation, ball 210 rests on protrusion 204 and/or gasket 208 whenthe air pressure within the second end 200 is constant, thussubstantially forming a seal between the ball 210 and the protrusion 204and/or gasket 208. When ball 210 is in this resting position, air from avent to which a venting device is attached is unable to exit the ventingdevice through opening 202. Thus, odors, such as sewer odors, areprevented from exiting the venting device. Disruptions in air pressurewithin the vent, and subsequently, the venting device, cause ball 210 tomove from a resting position on protrusion 204. In one embodiment of theinvention, disruptions in air pressure cause ball 210 to move in adirection upward from protrusion 204 toward bar 212 in a position shownby dotted outline 214. Bar 212 prevents ball 210 from moving beyond bar212 and into other portions of the venting device.

When ball 210 moves from the resting position on protrusion 204, freshair enters the venting device and the vent through opening 202 of secondend 200 by flowing around ball 210. As the disruption in air pressureceases, ball 210 drops back into a resting position on protrusion 204 ofsecond end 200. In this way, malodorous air is prevented from exiting avent to which a venting device of the present invention is attached,while fresh air is allowed to enter the venting device. Thus, foulsmells associated with septic systems, sewer vents, and other systemsand vents can be greatly reduced by embodiments of the presentinvention. In addition, embodiments of the present invention preventsmall animals and other unwanted objects or matter from becoming lodgedin a vent.

Directing attention now to FIG. 3, a method 300 for reducing malodorsemitted from a vent is shown. At stage 302, a first end of a device isconfigured to attach to a vent. The device is also configured to have asecond end, which includes a barrier, as shown at stage 304. At stage306, a center portion is positioned between the first and second ends ofthe device. At stage 308, a protrusion is configured within the device.Then, as shown at stage 310, a blockage is placed on the protrusion. Theblockage is configured to move upwards away from the protrusion when adisruption in air pressure occurs within the device, as shown at stage312. Finally, as shown at stage 314, the barrier is configured toprevent the blockage from moving upwards beyond the barrier when thedisruption in air pressure occurs. Thus, the method of the presentinvention provides a way for fresh air to enter the vent and the deviceattached to the vent but prevents the malodors emitted from the ventfrom exiting the venting device.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A venting device comprising: a first end configured to attach to avent; a second end having a barrier; a center portion positioned betweenthe first and second ends; a protrusion extending from an interior sideof the second end; and a blockage located on an interior of the secondend, wherein the blockage is configured to respond to changes in airpressure within the venting device.
 2. The device as recited in claim 1,wherein the first end, second end, and center portion are configured ofcylindrical pipe comprised of one or more of: polyvinyl chloride;acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; or, any other plastic.
 3. The device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the baffler is a bar.
 4. The device asrecited in claim 3, wherein the bar further comprises: a first endconfigured to pass through two holes of the second end of the ventingdevice; and a second end including an obstruction, wherein theobstruction prevents the second end from passing through the two holesof the second end of the venting device.
 5. The device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the blockage is a ball.
 6. The device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the ball is one or more of: plastic; and, rubber. 7.The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball is a ping-pong ball.8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the center portion joinsthe first end at a first corner and the center portion joins the secondend at a second corner.
 9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein thesecond end includes an opening.
 10. The device as recited in claim 1,wherein the blockage allows fresh air to enter the device when adisruption in air pressure occurs within the device.
 11. The device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the barrier prevents the blockage frompassing beyond the barrier when a disruption in air pressure occurswithin the device.
 12. A vent device for use with septic tank systemscomprising: a first end configured to attach to a vent pipe; a secondend, wherein the second end includes two holes on opposite sides of thesecond end; a center portion positioned between the first end and thesecond end; a bar configured to be inserted through the two holes of thesecond end such that a first end of the bar extends through each of thetwo holes of the second end and a second end of the bar does not extendthrough either of the two holes of the second end; a protrusionextending along an interior side of the second end; and a ballpositioned in an interior of the second end such that the ball rests onthe protrusion when air pressure within the device is substantiallyconstant.
 13. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the first end,second end, and center portion have a substantially cylindrical shape.14. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the first end, secondend, and center portion are comprised of one or more of: polyvinylchloride; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; or, any other plastic. 15.The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the ball is comprised of oneor more of: plastic; and, rubber.
 16. The device as recited in claim 10,wherein the ball is a ping-pong ball.
 17. The device as recited in claim10, wherein the second end further includes an opening.
 18. The deviceas recited in claim 10, wherein the protrusion further includes agasket.
 19. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the bar preventsthe ball from passing beyond the bar when a disruption in air pressureoccurs within the device.
 20. The device as recited in claim 10, whereinthe ball allows fresh air to enter the device when a disruption in airpressure occurs within the device.
 21. A method for reducing malodorsemitted from a vent, the method comprising: configuring a first end of adevice to attach to a vent; configuring a barrier within a second end ofthe device; positioning a center portion between the first end and thesecond end of the device; configuring a protrusion to extend from aninterior side of the second end of the device; placing a blockage on theprotrusion such that the blockage rests on the protrusion; configuringthe blockage such that the blockage moves upward from the protrusionwhen a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device; andconfiguring the barrier such that the barrier prevents the ball frommoving past the barrier when the disruption in air pressure occurswithin the device.
 22. The method as recited in claim 16, whereinconfiguring a baffler includes inserting a barrier through two holes ofthe second end of the device.
 23. The method as recited in claim 17,further comprising obstructing a second end of the barrier such that thesecond end of the barrier is unable to pass through the two holes of thesecond end of the device.
 24. The method as recited in claim 16, whereinthe placing a blockage on the protrusion further comprises positioningthe blockage to prevent air from passing between the ball and theprotrusion.
 25. A venting device, comprising: a body portion having afirst end and a second end; a partition attached to the second end,wherein the partition prevents air from exiting the venting device andallows air to enter the venting device.
 26. The venting device asrecited in claim 21, wherein the first end of the body portion isconfigured to attach to a vent.
 27. The venting device as recited inclaim 21, wherein the partition moves in response to changes in airpressure within the venting device.
 28. The venting device as recited inclaim 23, wherein the movement of the partition in response to changesin air pressure within the venting device allows fresh air to enter theventing device.
 29. The venting device as recited in claim 21, whereinthe venting device is configured of one or more of: polyvinyl chloride;acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; or, any other plastic.
 30. The ventingdevice as recited in claim 21, wherein the partition is configured ofone or more of: plastic; rubber; and, sheet metal.
 31. The ventingdevice as recited in claim 21, wherein the partition is attached to thesecond end by a hinge.